At Sweetwater, we know that choosing the right mic for the job is one of the most important decisions you’ll make, and affects how easily your sounds integrate with each other. Sennheiser has been a leader in microphone design for over half a century. Whether you’re recording drums, running a stage production, or recording audio in the field for a film, Sennheiser has a microphone that will exceed your expectations. At Sweetwater, we’ve been working with Sennheiser microphones for decades. This buying guide will help you find the right mic for any audio task.
- Best for Live Vocals
- Best for Studio Vocals
- Best for Guitar & Bass Amps
- Best for Drums
- Best for Brass & Woodwinds
- Best for Broadcast & Film Production
- Best for Conference Rooms
Which Sennheiser Mic Fits My Application?
Choosing the right mic is where your sonic success begins. Choose the wrong mic and you can waste valuable time trying to edit out unwanted room tone, and equalizing around sonic anomalies such as sibilance or plosives. Choosing the right mic achieves the best sound right at the source and makes everything down the line much easier, whether you’re mixing live sound or recording a band. Sennheiser’s extensive experience has enabled them to create purpose-built mics for every recording or sound reinforcement application.
Choosing the right mic for the source is the most important part of any audio project.
Best for Live Vocals
When you’re singing onstage, you need a microphone that will capture your voice with detail and clarity while also rejecting off-axis sounds and stage noise. This is what sound engineers are referring to when they talk about gain before feedback – how loud you can make the signal before worrying about off-axis sound from speakers feeding back into the mic. One of the most popular Sennheiser microphones for live vocals is the e835 handheld dynamic microphone – it handles high sound pressure levels, rejects off-axis sounds well, and sounds excellent. It’s also built to withstand stage abuse: another reason this is a go-to microphone for many production companies. If you’re working with an especially dense mix and need more help cutting through, the e935 has an even higher output level. For studio-quality sound onstage, the MD 431 II is widely considered to be Sennheiser’s finest handheld mic for vocals.
Popular Sennheiser Mics for Live Vocals:
Best for Studio Vocals
For vocal recordings in your studio, you want a mic that will pick up as much frequency content and detail as possible. You also want a low-noise microphone so that electronic noise doesn’t interfere with your music. The MK 4 side-address large-diaphragm condenser mic provides an upfront, vibrant sound that’s ideal for lead vocals. With a wide frequency range and smooth sound, you’ll capture a strong fundamental recording that will hold up even after heavy EQ, compression, or other processing. Its balanced response produces excellent results with both male and female vocalists. Also, the MD 431 II and MD 441U dynamic mics can produce outstanding results in the studio, especially when you’re trying to isolate a specific singer from a band.
Popular Sennheiser Mics for Studio Vocals:
Best for Guitar & Bass Amps
Guitar and bass amps get loud. To record them, you’re going to need tools that can handle the SPLs and that are durable enough to withstand rough handling. That’s where Sennheiser microphones truly excel. They handle extreme loudness with ease; and they’re built like tanks. What’s not to love? For guitar amps, the e 906 supercardioid dynamic instrument microphone is a no-brainer. Similarly, the e 609 is designed to capture the raw character of any guitar amp. And who could forget the MD 421-II? It’s a legendary microphone that’s perfect for bass cabs or anything else you throw at it. Whether you’re onstage, in the studio’s live room, or recording at home, Sennheiser microphones are the ultimate choice for clean recordings.
For Guitar, Bass & Anything Else, Sennheiser Is King
Best for Drums
When it comes to drum mics, Sennheiser is the name of the game. The brand offers many microphones ideal for miking drums. Whether you’re rocking Pearl or Ludwig, acrylic or maple, Sennheiser has the perfect microphone to capture the true essence of your sound. For the kick, we recommend an e 602-II or e 902. Put the MD 421 Kompakt on the snare and use a pair of e 614s or e 914s for overheads, and you’re ready to roll. Oh, and for toms? The MD 421-II and MD 421 Kompakt are used to capture toms so frequently that many studios default to just leaving them on the tom mic stands. That’s not all, though. Sennheiser also offers full-fledged drum mic kits such as the e600 Drum Microphone Kit, so you can get started recording drums with a single purchase.
If You’ve Heard Recorded Drums, Then You’ve Heard Sennheiser Drum Microphones
Best for Brass & Woodwinds
When a trumpet player or a saxophonist walks into your studio, which mic can you always get great results with? We’d recommend the MD 421-II. This dynamic microphone is capable of handling high SPLs and offers five bass-tailoring settings to adjust the sound of the mic to any instrument. Need something a little smaller? Then go with the MD 421 Kompakt. You get the same classic sound in a smaller package!
Sennheiser Microphones Are Ready to Capture Anything, Anywhere, Anytime
Best for Broadcast and Film Production
Especially when you’re working outdoors, you need a microphone that’s built to withstand the elements while also giving you excellent noise rejection. The MKH 8060 and MKH 416 shotgun microphones have both earned a solid reputation. They serve up excellent articulation and detail (imperative for recording dialog) with incredible directivity and very low self-noise, making it easier to capture the audio you need even in less-than-perfect acoustic environments. When you need a camera-mounted solution, the MKE 400 gives you superior noise rejection without sacrificing sound quality. For broadcast applications, a time-proven solution is the MD 421 II. Its warm tone and smooth response have earned it a permanent spot in countless broadcast booths and radio stations.
Sennheiser Has Been Making Microphones Long Enough to Know What’s Needed in Any Application
Best for Conference Rooms
More and more businesses are incorporating installed A/V systems for virtual meetings. To stay up-to-date with the latest tech, check out Sweetwater Integration.
Make Sennheiser Your Go-to Microphone
We don’t just sell Sennheiser microphones at Sweetwater, we also use them on a consistent basis in our studios and our Performance Theatre because they produce consistent results. No matter what your application, you can be sure that Sennheiser has a solution for you that will sound great and perform reliably. That’s high praise as far as some professional audio engineers are concerned. If you have questions about Sennheiser microphones or microphone accessories, just contact your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700.
